Shirley K Schlafer Foundation

Private foundation · Grantmaker Birmingham, MI EIN: 38-2637259

The Shirley K Schlafer Foundation is a private foundation based in Birmingham, Michigan. Its 2025 filing lists grants to Michigan organizations supporting research and women’s health, reproductive health care, children with serious health challenges, scholarships, and contemporary art and museum education.

Key facts about Shirley K Schlafer Foundation

In short: Shirley K Schlafer Foundation gave $314K across 5 grants in 2025 (avg $63K), mostly in Michigan. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.

EIN
38-2637259
Latest 990 filing
Form 990-PF, 2025
Annual giving (2025)
$313,500
Grants made (2025)
5
Average grant
$62,700
Median grant
$50,000
Total assets
$1,851,168
Primary geography
Michigan (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
Accepts unsolicited proposals
No
How to apply
The foundation stated on its 2023 IRS filing that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Full details ↓

Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026. Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.

Financial Overview

From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing

Total Assets

$1.9M

+0.4% YoY

Annual Giving

$314K

-18.8% YoY

Grant Count

5

-44.4% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$63K

+46.1% YoY

Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Shirley K Schlafer Foundation reported a distributable amount of $124K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.

How Shirley K Schlafer Foundation gives

  • Giving fell 82% from 2022 to 2025. Method
  • In 2025 it paid out 264% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method

From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.

Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.

Mission & Focus Areas

No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2025 grants show support for a range of organizations and purposes. The University of Michigan, which received a grant for an Emerging Scholars and Women’s Health Innovation Fund, describes its mission as representing and advocating for its member physicians. North Star Reach, a recipient of a charitable grant, says it provides life-changing camp experiences for children with serious health challenges through residential camps and ongoing virtual programming. The Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit, also a recipient, describes its mission as presenting art at the forefront of contemporary culture. Other listed grant purposes include reproductive health care and scholarships.

Grantmaking

In 2025, the foundation reported five grants totaling $313,500. Grant amounts ranged from $10,000 to $193,500, with a median of $50,000. The largest grants were $193,500 to the University of Michigan for the Emerging Scholars and Women’s Health Innovation Fund, $50,000 to North Star Reach for charitable purposes, and $50,000 to Planned Parenthood in Ann Arbor for charitable purposes and reproductive health care. The remaining grants were $10,000 to Cranbrook Schools for charitable purposes and scholarships, and $10,000 to the Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit for charitable purposes, museum maintenance, and education.

Your AI grants department

Ready to take the next step with Shirley K Schlafer Foundation?

Fully replaces Grant database subscriptions Instrumentl · Foundation Directory · GrantStation & similar

Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

All grant dollars listed for 2025 went to recipients in Michigan.

Grant Distribution by State

5states

Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 5 itemized grants.

Cities

Ann ArborDetroitWashingtonBloomfield HillsCarmelBoulderPinckneyNew YorkHudson

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$500K$1M$1.5M$2M9 grants2019 10 grants2020 7 grants2021 13 grants2022 11 grants2023 9 grants2024 5 grants2025

From 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $314K (2025) to $1.9M (2023). In 2025 it made 5 grants totaling $314K.

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 5 recipients in 2025

University of Michigan: $194KUniversity of Michigan$194KNorth Star Reach: $50KNorth Star Reach$50KPlanned Parenthood: $50KPlanned Parenthood$50KCranbrook Schools: $10KCranbrook Schools$10KMuseum of Contemporary Art Detroit: $10KMuseum of Contemporary ArtDetroit$10K

The largest 2025 recipient was University of Michigan ($194K). Together the top 5 received $314K.

Grant Size Distribution

45 grants across all recorded years

25<$50K13$50–100K4$100–250K$250–500K$500K–1M3$1–5M$5M+

The most common grant size was under $50K: 25 grants of 45 (56%).

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

RecipientPurposeAmount
University of Michigan Ann Arbor, MIEmerging Scholars and Women's Health Innovation Fund$193,500
North Star Reach Pinckney, MICharitable$50,000
Planned Parenthood Ann Arbor, MICharitable; Reproductive Health Care$50,000
Cranbrook Schools Bloomfield Hills, MICharitable; Scholarships$10,000
Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit Detroit, MICharitable; Museum Maintenance & Education$10,000

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Filing year Assets Revenue Expenses Grants
2025 $1,851,168 $372,116 $364,367 $313,500 (5 grants)
2024 $1,843,419 $233,081 $437,871 $386,150 (9 grants)
2023 $2,048,209 $328,030 $1,934,110 $1,874,250 (11 grants)
Revenue
Expenses
Qualifying Distributions
Net Investment Income
$0$1M$2M$3M2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
Metric202520242023
Total Assets$1,851,168$1,843,419$2,048,209
Revenue$372,116$233,081$328,030
Expenses$364,367$437,871$1,934,110
Qualifying Distributions$327,767$400,387$1,888,387
Net Investment Income$335,516$195,597$285,352
Distributable Amount$124,060$133,252$153,809

Data update history

When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable

  1. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS June 18, 2020)
  2. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS March 10, 2021)
  3. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS February 23, 2022)
  4. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS February 22, 2023)
  5. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS February 22, 2024)
  6. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS February 17, 2025)
  7. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS February 3, 2026)
  8. IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2025

Leadership & Key People

Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings

The 2025 filing lists Edith S Briskin as chairman and treasurer.

Shirley K Schlafer Foundation is led by Edith S. Briskin, Chairman & Treasurer on every filing since 2019 — the only officer listed, and compensated.

Officers on the 2025 filing

  • Edith S. Briskin

    Chairman & Treasurer

    On filings since 2019

    10 hrs/week

    $14K (2019) → $14K (2025)

Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.

Compensation Overview

From 2025 IRS filing

Edith S Briskin — Chairman/Treasurer: $14KEdith S BriskinChairman/Treasurer$14K

The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $14K, to Edith S Briskin (Chairman/Treasurer).

Contact

Mailing address: 727 Willits, Birmingham, MI 48009
Phone: (248) 375-7827

Frequently asked questions about Shirley K Schlafer Foundation

How much does Shirley K Schlafer Foundation give each year?

Shirley K Schlafer Foundation gave $314K across 5 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $386K across 9 grants.

What is Shirley K Schlafer Foundation's typical grant size?

Shirley K Schlafer Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $50,000, and its average grant was $62,700, across 5 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.

Where does Shirley K Schlafer Foundation give grants?

Shirley K Schlafer Foundation gives mostly in Michigan: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Ann Arbor, MI (2 grants).

Does Shirley K Schlafer Foundation give general operating support?

Not in 2025: none of the 5 grants with a stated purpose on Shirley K Schlafer Foundation's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support.

Who are Shirley K Schlafer Foundation's largest grantees?

Shirley K Schlafer Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include University of Michigan ($193,500), North Star Reach ($50,000) and Planned Parenthood ($50,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 94% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.

How large is Shirley K Schlafer Foundation?

Shirley K Schlafer Foundation reported $1.9M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $328K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $124K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).

What does Shirley K Schlafer Foundation fund?

No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2025 grants show support for a range of organizations and purposes. See mission & focus areas ↑

How do I apply for a grant from Shirley K Schlafer Foundation?

The foundation stated on its 2023 IRS filing that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑

What is Shirley K Schlafer Foundation's EIN?

Shirley K Schlafer Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 38-2637259. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.

Does Shirley K Schlafer Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?

No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑

Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.

Your AI grants department

Here's the math on researching Shirley K Schlafer Foundation by hand.

Explore Open Grants

Browse active grant opportunities in Shirley K Schlafer Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database

Similar Funders

Funders that support many of the same organizations

Agilent Technologies Foundation

Santa Clara, CA

The Agilent Technologies Foundation funds environmental quality and climate resilience, STEM education and economic opportunity—especially for underrepresented communities—and scientific research, with 2024 grants concentrated in Delaware and also supporting work elsewhere in the U.S. Grants ranged from $1,000 to $2,009,045, with a median of $25,000; its Research Catalyst program offers awards of up to $500,000 for three-year projects. It funds only preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$596K

Grants

20

Total Given

$5.0M

The Garland and Brenda Reiter

Watsonville, CA

The Garland and Brenda Reiter funds environmental stewardship, community needs, youth programs, and museum education and accessibility, with most 2024 grant dollars going to California. Grants ranged from $500 to $33,000, with a median of $5,000. It does not restrict awards, and the filing asks applicants to submit a request with background information.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$4.2M

Grants

31

Total Given

$237K

Aetna Foundation Inc

Hartford, CT

Aetna Foundation supported health and wellness, access to health care, and related community needs; its 2021 grants ranged from $5,000 to $1 million, with a median of $40,000, and went to organizations across multiple states, especially in D.C. and Connecticut. Its 2021 filing was marked final, so it appears to have ended or be winding down grantmaking; that filing said there were no restrictions on who could apply and pointed applicants to its website for application materials.

Assets

—

Grants

65

Total Given

$7.2M

Madeleine H and Mandell L Berman Support Foundation

Bloomfield Hills, MI

Madeleine H. and Mandell L. Berman supports eligible charitable organizations across areas including hunger relief, education, arts and culture, animal welfare, health research, and Jewish philanthropy. In 2024, it made 40 grants of $5,000 to $165,000, with a median of $18,000; most funding went to Michigan, followed by New York and Colorado. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.

Assets

—

Grants

40

Total Given

$1.2M

Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation Inc

Princeton, NJ

The Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation supports health-access initiatives for disproportionately affected populations, including cancer, blood disorders, brain health, and clinical-trial participation, in the United States and internationally. In 2024, its median grant was $134,090, though awards varied widely; it says application materials are available upon request and advises organizations to contact it about the process, but does not state whether unsolicited requests are accepted.

Assets

$83.3M

Grants

144

Total Given

$67.7M

Beatrice Renfield Foundation

New York, NY

The Beatrice Renfield Foundation supports a broad range of charitable organizations, including education, environment, animal welfare, health, community, and culture, with most 2024 grant dollars going to New York and Connecticut. Its grants ranged from $100 to $102,500, with a median of $1,500; it gives only to preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.

Assets

$12.1M

Grants

90

Total Given

$733K

United Jewish Foundation

Bloomfield Hills, MI

The United Jewish Foundation supports Jewish community continuity, including Jewish organizations, older adults, education, children, medical research, and related services. Its 2025 grants had a median of $18,000, though awards ranged widely; 87% of grant dollars went to Michigan, with some support elsewhere in the U.S. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$761.7M

Grants

274

Total Given

$43.6M

WK Kellogg Foundation

Battle Creek, MI

The W.K. Kellogg Foundation funds community-led work focused on children’s health and education, good food, family economic security, racial equity and equitable opportunity. It gives across the United States, with long-term commitments in Michigan, Mississippi, New Mexico and New Orleans, and also funds in parts of Mexico and Haiti; its 2024 median grant was $100,000. It accepts proposals at any time through its website and does not limit giving to preselected organizations.

Assets

$481.0M

Grants

1,818

Total Given

$303.9M

The William & Flora Hewlett Foundation

Menlo Park, CA

The William & Flora Hewlett Foundation funds education, climate and conservation, the arts, gender equity, governance, democracy, and philanthropy, with work in the San Francisco Bay Area, the U.S. West, nationally, and internationally. Its 2024 grants had a median of $150,000, though awards ranged from $50 to more than $11 million; it often provides long-term general operating support. It generally does not accept unsolicited requests, except through invited open processes.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$14.2B

Grants

2,001

Total Given

$625.0M

Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan

Detroit, MI

The Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan funds work in economic opportunity, health equity, youth and education, arts and culture, and public space and the environment across Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Monroe, Washtenaw, St. Clair, and Livingston counties. Its 2024 median grant was $25,000, though awards varied widely; organizations can submit a brief proposal request for its Community Grants Program, with full applications by invitation.

Assets

$1.2B

Grants

938

Total Given

$105.1M

Charles Stewart Mott Foundation

Flint, MI

The Charles Stewart Mott Foundation funds nonprofits working in civil society, youth engagement, environmental sustainability, and Flint-area community development, in Flint and communities around the world. Its 2024 grants had a median of $55,000, though awards ranged widely; it does not accept unsolicited funding requests and supports preselected organizations.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$3.8B

Grants

834

Total Given

$166.4M

The Kresge Foundation

Troy, MI

The Kresge Foundation funds nonprofits working to expand equity and opportunity in U.S. cities, across arts and culture, education, environment, health, human services and community development, with particular focus on Detroit, Memphis, New Orleans and Fresno. Its 2024 grants ranged from $150 to $5 million, with a median of $140,000; it most often invites applicants, though some programs issue open calls, and its Social Investment Practice does not accept unsolicited proposals.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$4.0B

Grants

800

Total Given

$170.0M

More Funders in Michigan

Shirley K Schlafer Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?

Want AI to do this for you?